Closure for containers



W. B. GODDARD.

CLOSURE FOR CONTAINERS.

APPLICATION r1150 11111.49. 1921 Patnted Apr. 4, 1922 W. mum-TM x 44a 4?. (Ix/#6 A/MW wa llhlllllED STATES WILLIAM B. GODDARD, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

CLQSURE FUR CDNTAINERS.

arness.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 4, 1922.

Application filed January 19, 1921. Serial No.- 438,308.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM B. GODDARD,

a citizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Closures for (Jontainers, of .which the following is a specification.

This invention relates generally to closures for containers, with more particular reference to devices for looking or securing an interior slip-cover in closing position which at the same time may be employed to release the cover for the removal thereof.

A. common and well-known type of sheetmetal containeris one which is provided withv a circular opening in the top thereof the diameter of which is less than the diameter or dimensions of said top, a substantially dish-shaped slip-cover being provided which is adapted to be inserted in the opening and irictionally engage the edge thereof to close the same. As long as the container is in a condition of rest, the friction is sufiicient to retain the cover firmly in place, but when such a container is being handled, as during shipment or delivery, for instance, it is likely to be and most frequently is subjected to more or less rough usage, under which circumstances, unless? means are provided to positively hold the cover in place, it would be altogether too easily jarred loose, with obvious results.

lhe cover of a container such as that to which I have referred may be said to be wedged in place, and while the friction may be insufficient to prevent dislodgment by more or less severe jarring, it is almost invariably sufiicientto render necessary the employment of some sort of pointed or edged implement to release the cover tor removal when it is desired to have access to the contents of the container. Such an implement is not always readily available, and when it is not delay, inconvenience and annoyance are likely to result. The principal object of the present invention is the provision of positive retaining means for the cover which not only are simple, dependable and easily manipulated, but which at the same time in themsleves provide means for dislodging the cover after they have been withdrawn from retaining positions.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of the top of a sheet-metal container with closing means embodying my invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken sub-- stantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the manner in which the locking devices are manipulated to etl'ect dislodgment of the cover, and

Fig. l is a detail perspective view of one of the locking devices.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, numeral 7 designates the top or end of a sheetmetal container. in the particular type of container l have in mind a common and well-known typethis top or end is provided with a central circular orifice or opening, as shown, adapted to be closed by an interior slip-cover 8. This slip-cover is of the usual dish-shaped con figuration, being formed with a side-wall 9 which is slightly tapering in order that the cover may be tightly wedged in place, and being provided with a- Flange 10 to give the cover strength and rigidity and to tacilitate the operation of removing the same temporarily when it is desired to have access to the contents of the container.

However tightly this cover may be wedged in the orifice or opening which it is designed to close, it will be apparent that it would easily be jarred loose by rough or careless handling ot the container. Therefore, when containers oi this type are packed for shipment, it has been found necessary to provide means for securely locking the cover in place. However, such containers are rarely, it ever, employed for the packaging of perishable products, which would render necessary hermetic sealing, but are more generally used for the packaging of particulate, granular or pulverized solid matter, such as coffee, starch and various substances in the form of powder, the cover to a certain extent serving to keep the contents of the container reasonably free from exposure to moisture, but more particularly serving to prevent accidental spilling of said contents. Furthermore, such containers have also been found to be particularly useful when a portion only oi the contents thereof is desired to be dispensed therefrom from time to time. Therefore, it will be apparent that any locking means provided should be, first, attached to the container or to the top or end thereof (to prevent loss or misplacement) and capable of repeated use; second, dependable in the performance of their function yet easy to manipulate, without the necessity for the employment of any form of implement, to release the cover, and, third, just as easily manipulated to re-lock the cover when desired, as, for instance, when the desired portion of the contents of the container has been removed therefrom.

In addition to the above desirable-1f not essential features, it is my purpose to equip the locking means in the simplest possible manner and at practically no additional cost of construction and assembly-with supplemental means adapted upon suitable manipulation of said locking means to readlly overcome the friction, which to a greater or lesser extent binds the wedged cover in place and thereby release said cover from its seat. The locking means shown as embodyin my invention comprise a plurality of blocks four will generally sufiice, spaced apart by arcs of 90 each, as shown) 11, 12, 13 and 14,

each pivoted to the top or end of the COII- tainer in close proximity to the cover-flange. These blocks are of identical structure, and, as best shown in Fig. 4, each thereof is notched oreut away at one end thereof to provide a lip or tongue 15 adapted upon rotation of the block to pass over the cover flange, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, and laterally beveled at the other end to provide a wedge 16 adapted to pass under and raise said flange when rotated in reversed position, as shown in Fjg. 3. It will be seen that but a single operation of each of the blocks is required to both unlock and release the cover.

Modifications of minor details of my improved closure for containers will doubtless readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art to which it appertains, and I therefore do not desire to limit my invention to the specific construction herein shown and described.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. The combination, with a container having a friction slip-cover, of a plurality of devices pivoted thereto in proximity to said cover and movable in a plane therewith, each of said devices being provided with means for engaging and locking said cover and being movable to and from engaging and locking position, and with means for releasing said cover when moved to disengaging positlon.

2. The combination, with a container having an opening in the top or end thereof, and an interior slip-cover adapted to be inserted and frictionally held in said opening to close the same, of a plurality of devices secured to said top or end around said opening and movable in a plane therewith, each of said devices being provided with means for engaging and locking said cover and being movable to and from engaging and locking position, and with means for releasing said cover when moved to disengaging position.

3. The combination, with a container having an opening in the top or end thereof, and a flanged interior slip-cover adapted to be inserted and frictionally held in said open ing to close the same, of a plurality of devices pivoted to said top or end around said opening and movable in a plane therewith, each of said devices being provided with means for engaging the flange to lock said cover and bein movable to and from engaging and locking position, and with means adapted to be passed under said flange and release said cover when said device is moved to disengaging position.

4. The combination, with a container having an opening in the top or end thereof, and a flanged interior slip-cover-adapted to be inserted and frictionally'held in said opening to close the same, of a plurality of blocks pivoted to said top or end around said opening and movable in a plane therewith, each of said blocks being provided at one end with a tongue adapted to be passed over the flange uponrotation of said block to lock said cover, and at the other end with a wedge adapted to bepassed under said flange and release said cover when said block is rotated in reversed position.

5; A combined fastener and remover for on its pivot and provided with oppositely":

projecting members, one adapted to overhang the cover and lock it in closed position and the other having a beveled surface adapted when the body is rotated to pass under the cover and pry it open. j

A pivotal body adapted for .diametric rex ersal on its pivot and, formed with members extending in opposite directions therefrom, one member being adapted to overhang the cover of a container to hold it closed and the other member adapted, when the position of said. members is reversed, to engage under said cover and raise the same. 7. A pivotal body adapted for diametric reversal on its pivot and formed with members'extending' in opposite directions therefrom, the one member having an under face to engage over a container cover to hold it closed and the other member adapted, when the position of said members is reversed, to engage under said cover and raise the same, the'last-named member being beveled on its side to pass under the flange of the cover.

1,41m21 v a 8. A pivotal burly udapied for dianmiric reversal on its pivut and 'fmnmd with uppmitvly extended mumlwrs one adapted to vngnge u comaimr-cuwr when in one position of said hwly and the other member :ulnptvd in :mutlm' positiqm of the body to engage lmwuf'n and pry up the cover.

In testimony n; the foregoing, I have hereunto set my hand In the presence of Lwo witnesses.

WILLIAM B. GODDARD. Witnesses MABRL (h'mmnn, EMILIE P. GODDARD. 

